Jerry and I decided to have one of our winter picnics. Our yard is not very big, but the back patio is paved in old bricks and has beautiful flora and fauna all around. It reminds me of a secret garden. Although at this time of year there isn't too much to admire. Anyway, we have a fire pit that our daughter Brittany and son-in-law, Derek got Jerry for his father's day gift last June. I decided on a menu of lobster rolls, french potato salad, roasted red pepper soup and s'mores with hot white chocolate.
I took votive candles, they now have battery operated ones and placed them all around the patio and garden area, lit the fire pit and put on some nice calming jazz for our listening entertainment. Our huge oak tree in the center of the patio is strung with lights that look like dragonfly's and I have white Christmas lights interspersed through the bushes. It creates a beautiful twinkling effect.
The weather last night around 6 p.m. was nice and crisp with a light breeze blowing so we had to bundle up, but when you live in Texas you don't get too many days or nights that actually feel like winter so you have to take advantage of every one. We also placed some of those fabulous battery candles on the table so you never have to worry about them blowing out and many of them have a fragrance emitting from them too. Not only do they look great, they smell great.
Lobster Sandwiches - I found some lobster tails at our local grocery store
2 cups of coarsely chopped cooked lobster
1/2 cup diced celery
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. lemon peel, zested
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
2 scallions, chopped including green part
dash of cayenne
1/4 cup mayonnaise - I don't like a lot, but I don't want it dry either
2 Ciabatta rolls, split and some of the extra bread taken out and toasted
In a bowl combine all of the ingredients and gently mix. Place on toasted or grilled, lightly buttered ciabatta rolls.
Roasted Red Pepper Soup
1 Tbl. butter
1 Tbl. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 Tbl. tomato paste
1/2 (15 oz.) jar roasted red bell peppers, rinsed and drained or roast your own
4 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Italian parsley, chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 small can diced tomatoes
Melt butter with oil in large Dutch oven. Add garlic and shallot and cook, stirring constantly until tender, do not brown. Add tomato paste and cook stirring constantly for about 1 minute. Stir in peppers, tomatoes and chicken stock. Reduce to simmer stirring occasionally for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and process with emersion blender until smooth, return back to Dutch oven and stir in heavy whipping cream, season with salt and pepper. Add to bowls and garnish with croutons.
Julia's French Potato Salad
2 lbs. red potatoes
2 Tbl. Italian parsley, chopped
1 Tbl. Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
4 scallions, chopped including green part
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper
In large pot, bring salted water to boil and cook potatoes until tender. Cool and cut into chunks. In a jar with lid add garlic, Dijon, vinegar and olive oil, shake well until incorporated. I happen to like more vinegar taste than oil, so adjust vinaigrette to your taste. In a bowl add potatoes, parsley, scallions and pour dressing over, season with salt and pepper to taste.
Hot Chocolate
12 oz. white chocolate, chopped
1 3/4 cup whipping cream divided
6 cups milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Melt white chocolate in double boiler, over simmering water. Combine whipping cream, milk, sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes. Add 1 cup of the milk mixture to white chocolate in double boiler, stirring with a whisk. Pour white chocolate mixture into milk mixture in saucepan and add vanilla. Whip remaining whipped cream and add some vanilla extract. Ladle hot chocolate into mugs and add dollop of whipped cream and shaved white chocolate on top.
S'mores - Julia's way
Graham Crackers
Large marshmallows
Ghirardelli chocolate squares with caramel
Place marshmallows on a stick and toast over fire pit until gooey. Place a Ghirardelli square on graham cracker, add toasted marshmallow and top with another graham cracker. Yumm
Bon Appetit
"We have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight
of the Lord, but also in the sight of men".
2 Corinthians 8:21
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